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Benbulbin, with its limestone escarpment resembling the prow of a ship, is one of the most recognisable Irish mountains. It is also steeped in legend. It takes its name from Conall Gulban, son of Niall of the Nine hostages, who was fostered here. Fionn Mac Cumhaill finds his son Oisín naked under a rowan tree on Benbulben, having not seen him for seven years. It is also the spot where Diarmuid Ó Duibhne is finally killed by a boar, after he and Gráinne have been pursued for many years throughout Ireland by Fionn. Sometimes spelt Benbulben.
Benbulbin is the 484th highest place in Ireland. Benbulbin is the most westerly summit in the Dartry Mountains area. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/402/

There have been access difficulties regarding this summit.
A simple approach to Benbulbin is to start at G684 451A however some have found difficulties here. A track leads to fields below a steep, but not dangerous, climb up to the top of the Benbulbin - Kings Mountain ridge. Keep to the right of a small river gully on the ascent as this is where the track is. Near the top turn left to head west across the bog for a few hundred metres to the summit trig pillar. Beware of the sharp cliff drops which are so prominent to this hill.

Another route up starts from the north side near Luke's Bridge G6983 4728B. You may encounter barbed wire strung across the road before you reach this point. According to MI May 2015, "Despite what it may appear like, that fence is to keep sheep in, not to keep walkers out and the parking area a couple of hundred metres beyond the fence is currently the main access point for ascending Benbulbin." (It should be noted that vehicle break-ins are far from an unusual occurrence here).

Fantastic views are to be had of the nearer Dartrys, as well as across to Slieve League in Donegal. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/402/comment/5161/

Access Problems, Wednesday 17 August 2011

by Wildcat 19 May 2015

The corrected route still starts at grid reference G684 451A. Note that parking is difficult and junctions, lanes and farm entrances must be left clear so tractors and trailers can get access. There is really only space for one car close to this point. From here, follow the surfaced road about 20m to the north-east (direction Benbulbin Farm). The Benbulbin Farm road then turns right (south-east) - from the bend in the surfaced road, continue straight on (north-east) on an unsurfaced track (a lane between trees) as far as a gate. Go through the gate then continue on this lane for about 300m north-east to the point where it bends to the right (east) - there's a gate on the left (grid reference G685 453C) which leads to the rough grazing north of the lane without any problems. (Please note, the lane dead ends 400m to the east at a gate bristling with metalwork, barbed wire and a 'no trespassing' sign.) From the gate at G685 453C, head gradually uphill keeping to the right, gradually getting further north of the lane and steadily closer to the LEFT bank of the small river gully mentioned in the summary. Ascend steep grassy slopes east of some trees but north-west of the gully and find a path that zig-zags through a narrow rock band to reach the reedy slopes above. Continue uphill and somewhat to the left, across boggy grassland, to reach the summit trig pillar. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/402/comment/6485/

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Picture from eflanaga : Eastern slope of Benbulbin

Picture: Eastern slope of Benbulbin

eflanaga on Benbulbin, 2006

by eflanaga 15 Mar 2006

Benbulbin (Climbed Sunday 13th) Started walk at G684451A for the relatively short (1.6K) but rather steep ascent (450m) to the summit cairn. Track at start of walk runs for about 400m up and around to a metal gate. Once through gate simply follow the gulley to your left onwards and upwards to the top. The forecast had suggested that the mist would linger on the west coast and high ground for a good part of the day and it wasn’t wrong. While, there would be clear spells on some of the hills around lunchtime the mist steadfastly refused to vacate Benbulbin until much later in the evening. As it was, by the time I had climbed about 100m visibility had dropped to around 30 metres. Four young lads on scramblers across the gulley, one of whom appeared to be intent on trying to ride his bike up the sheer incline to the top, quickly disappeared from view, the irritating ‘phut phut phut’ of their engines taking somewhat longer to fade into the distance. I found it somewhat easier to climb alongside the gulley rather than climbing up through it . It’s only a short walk from the top of the gulley to the Trig point on the summit. Due to the mist there was little to see except for the inscribed metal plate on the Trig dedicated to a young man called Kevin Myers who apparently passed away at age of twenty-eight in 2002. Not sure if his unfortunate passing had anything to do with the mountain. After picking up a couple of discarded beer tins near the Trig it was time to check bearings and start the long trudge across to my next target, Benwiskin. The trek, described by Sean below, was made much more arduous because of the poor visibility and the prevailing cold, wet and miserable conditions.(See Benwiskin for next stage of walk). Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/402/comment/2228/

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Picture from simon3 : Dawn behind Benbulbin.

Picture: Dawn behind Benbulbin.

simon3 on Benbulbin, 2009

by simon3 20 Dec 2009

Taken some 20 minutes after dawn, Benbulbin's distinctive shape is set against the dawn of a cold, December day. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/402/comment/4304/

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Picture from tightropetom : Fairy Road near Ballintrillick

Picture: Fairy Road near Ballintrillick

tightropetom on Benbulbin, 2008

by tightropetom 26 Mar 2008

If you follow emchugh's route you may have missed out on a golden opportunity! There is a 'fairy' road on the way to the ascent route. On this, you will experience a very strange phenomenon whereby you drive 'down' a hill. You then put your car in neutral and then your car will proceed to roll backwards 'up' the hill. I kid you not! Just after the waterworks you are facing towards Benwiskin. The next right turn brings you face to face with the Dartry mountains proper (see picture). At this point you should stop your car to get your bearings. In front of you is a minor incline that appears to go downhill. Drive along here until just before the last bush on your left (about 10 yards after the bush there is a tiny grassy pathway going off to the left perpendicular to the road). In the picture the bushes on the left are clearly visible. Stop the car and put it into neutral - you will be shocked as your car moves backwards! If the car doesn't move you've gone too far. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/402/comment/3022/

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Picture from tiktiktik3

tiktiktik3 on Benbulbin, 2005

by tiktiktik3 24 Sep 2005

Benbulbin 05-09-2005, Ordnance Survey Map Discovery Serie’s 16 -
We followed the route Emchugh recommended and first, I must say thanks to him here for his accurate detailed info. We waited for a clear day and on that particular morning, from Skreen, close to Donegal Town where we rented us a self catering cottage, for the first time I noticed Benbulbin outlined on the horizon from the kitchen window, and a few hours later as we drove up we where happy to see that the mountain was completely visible, no clouds or fog hiding its top away as it was the previous days when we checked up on him. Emshugh route is an easy way up (almost too easy after Binmore-Groaghgorm a few days before), you just follow the stream upwards (thats the only climbing part) until you get to its well, and then onwards on a grassy slope upwards towards a beautiful huge plateau (like a meadow in the sky, goats included)… A point of interest here, if you keep sideways on the left towards Ben Bulbin instead of going completely up the slope directly, then you will find a nice little cave you might like to explore… after doing so I went into the meadow and headed straightforward towards the cliff face of Bulbin… We had fantastic views of Slieve League, over Drumcliff Bay and Sligo Harbour up to Knocknarea (even queen Meave’s cairn was visible) and the Ox mountains to highlight a few points of interest. High clouds drifting by made for an ever color changing pattern on the slopes of BenWiskin across the valley… Wish I could include more than one picture, but as most folk share view pictures, I will limit myself to using a detail picture… As with everything, beauty is sometimes in the small things around you… So here’s what gives Benbulbin his typical look when you see him frontal from the N56… By its easiness and the grand view rewards, this is definably the mountain to climb if you are unsure but want to give hill walking a try (or by lack of more time)… It all depends on how long you linger above, but starting out from the place Emchugh recommends to leave your car, to the top and back it’s a under 4 hour walk on a bright sunny afternoon … Highly recommended… Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/402/comment/1958/